By Elizabeth Contreras
Douglass High School sophomore Sebastian Molina’s improvement on the mound hasn’t happened alone. Behind his growth as a pitcher is a steady group of people who continue to challenge him.
Molina has continued to become more confident, most proud of how much he has improved his pitching and skills in baseball overall.
At home, his foundation is his father.
“My dad inspires me because he always pushes me to be great and to never give up,” Molina said. “He’s always there for me even when I don’t think I need him.”
Being surrounded by constant support has pushed him to stay disciplined. Molina understands that nothing is handed to him, and if he wants something, he has to get it. His earned-not-given mentality was crafted through years of guidance, reminders, and belief from both parents, both of whom he says always have his back.
At school, a strong supporter he relies on is Coach Mac. Molina calls him his favorite teacher because of the way he teaches and the experience he brings from playing multiple sports himself. Having a mentor who understands the grind of athletics makes a difference and is a reminder of the vast support helping him grow in ways that aren’t always visible from the outside.
Friends from earlier years shaped him, too. He said Cash, a teammate from middle school, stood out because he was intentional about encouraging him. The two started playing baseball at the same time, pushing each other to improve and refusing to let each other get too comfortable.
“He always made sure I was pushing myself and never giving up,” Molina said.
Getting that kind of encouragement early on helped shape the competitiveness he plays with now. Together, these influences have played an important role in his growth, whether it’s his father’s steady support, his coach’s guidance in the classroom, or the motivation from a friend pushing him during practice.
Wearing a jersey is only a small part of what it means to be a Trojan. To Molina, it is about reminding people that effort opens doors. And because he is surrounded by people who believe in him, he doesn’t have to pursue those goals without support.
